Airbnb reveals hottest Asian destinations

Over a thousand years of rich cultural heritage makes Asia a timeless destination for new and seasoned travelers alike.

The tourism industry is thriving, fueled by an influx of tourists from outside and within Asia as countries race to stand out in their uniqueness to vie for tourists' attention (and dollars).

With so many sights to see and scenes to take in, navigating Asia can be daunting — particularly for the first-time traveler.

To find out which cities are hot on the list for tourists, CNBC asked Airbnb for their top 10 Asian destinations, based on the number of vacation rental bookings on their website.

Click ahead to find out what tourists think of your favorite Asian cities.

— By CNBC.com Staff
Posted 16 September 2015

The great advantage of Phuket, Thailand's largest island, is that there is always something to do on and off the island, rain or shine.

Surrounded by green hills and cerulean waters, tourists can enjoy boating, beach-hopping or escape in to a treehouse at Khoa Sok National Park for a full jungle experience complete with elephants.

Known as Asia's green capital, Kuala Lumpur welcomes about 9 million tourists from around the world every year.

From the Batu Caves to the Putra Mosque, the capital of Malaysia is a bona fide banquet for the senses.

Jeju is a must-go for all nature-lovers and adventurers. Also known as the Hawaii of South Korea, Jeju is a popular honeymoon destination because of its romantic sunrises and sunsets, mild climate and beautiful fields.

Tourists can hike to Baeknok Lake at the top of Mount Halla or retreat in to a stone cottage in the stunning Jeju countryside to do a digital detox.

One of Asia's most underrated cities, Busan is best known for its large port and boasts South Korea's largest beach and longest river.

Visitors can indulge their palate in the amazing variety of seafood at the world-famous Jagalchi Fish Market and experience the lifestyle of the indigenous Busan natives.

Reputed for its racy nightlife, exotic street food and the Chatuchak weekend market, Bangkok remains a favorite destination in Asia as well as the rest of the world.

Presenting a unique blend of traditional and modern, the 'City of Angels' creates an intoxicating vibe for locals, tourists and expats alike. It is said you only need to spend a few hours in the city to become hooked to its charm for life.

Kyoto is the epitome of an Asian haven. Surrounded by sublime gardens and imperial palaces, it's hard not to fall in love with this city.

The former Japanese capital also has the largest number of World Heritage Sites globally, second only to Rome.

As one of the most famous islands in Indonesia, Bali is a delight for the body, mind and spirit.

Arguably the best beach front in all of Bali, the 5 kilometer-long sandy stretch of Kuta Beach serves as a surfing paradise and romantic getaway, especially for tourists and young couples.

Home to K-pop and kimchi, Seoul promises a myriad of ancient traditions and cutting-edge digital technology.

Notable attractions in the capital of South Korea include the Gyeongbokgung Palace and Myeongdong, Seoul's most famous shopping district.

Formerly known as Naniwa, Osaka's history stretches back to the fifth century when its port served as a gateway to the more advanced cultures of Korea and China.

Surrounded by plenty of restaurants and amusement facilities, visitors in the Dotonbori area can cruise in the famous Dotonbori canal for a full-scale view of the city's entertainment district.

Famed for its food and fashion scene, the vibrant city of Tokyo emerges, unsurprisingly, as the top tourist destination in Asia.

With famous theme parks, museums and entertainment complexes such as Tokyo Disneyland, Studio Ghibli Museum, Tokyo Sky Tree or Sanrio Puroland, Tokyo offers more than enough delights to satisfy any traveler.

Springtime in capital of Japan is nothing less than magical as the country's iconic sakura (cherry blossoms) allure tourists and locals with pretty pink flowers that decorate the city.